Some passengers have taken to social media to describe the scenes. John Downes posted: "Stranded @ Barking station. No @C2C_rail trains going in or out. Suspicious package found @ West Ham. Hope police prosecute culprit swiftly."

Another, Alia Loren, said: "Just had to evacuate West Ham station cos of a suspect package. Avoid c2c and West Ham."

A BTP spokesman said: "Just before 5pm we were called to West Ham station after reports of two suspicious items on board a C2C train to London.

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"Officers attended alongside Metropolitan Police and a precautionary station closure was put in place whilst the train was searched by specialist officers. The items have since been examined by police and removed.

"The items are not deemed to be suspicious and the station will be opening shortly."